Just sent this email to the Chief of police for Port A. We'll see what he says:
Officer Burroghs,
My name is Timothy Davis. I'm from New Braunfels and I frequent your beaches with my
friends and family often. I fish, camp, surf and ride personal watercraft there several
times a year. My friends an I are coming down in a few weeks to ride Jet skis. I have
done extensive research and from what I can tell, we are allowed to launch our watercraft
south of beach access road 1 and in a small area next to the jetty as well, between the
park and jetty. Last time we came down, I called ahead, spoke to parks personnel and law
enforcement. Both told me this was correct.
However, we proceeded to camp south of aces road 1 and picked a spot far from any
surfers, swimmers and fisherman. Although we where clearly far south of the no
launch/ride area, we where approached by two police officers who told us we could not
launch there. After a lengthy, polite discussion, the officers conceded that we had done
our homework and that we where attempting to comply with the laws and meant no trouble.
They allowed us to continue riding in that spot.
We do not want to cause a problem. I respect that your officers are just trying to
keep the beaches safe. We want to ride far from fisherman and swimmers for safety but
still be reasonably close to amenities. We launch our skis and proceed far out into
deep waters. My friends and I do every thing we can to comply with the rules.
So we can plan our trip, set up our camp and not worry about being told to move, I
am requesting some sort of written clarification. Could you please verify that the
following ordinances pulled from your web site are current? :
Sec. 18-59. - Launching of motorized craft from the beach.
No motorized watercraft, including, but not limited to, motor boats and jet skis, may be
launched or loaded from the public beach at any location from the southmost boundary of
Nueces County, Port Aransas Beach Park south to Access Road 1.
(Ord. No. 95-8, § 1, 6-15-95)
Sec. 18-60. - Prohibition of operation of motorized watercraft near the beach.
No motorized watercraft, including, but not limited to, motor boats and jet skis, may be
operated within the following area: A line commencing at the point where the southmost
boundary of the Nueces County, Port Aransas Beach Park intersects the line of high tide
on the beach and extending in an easterly direction, perpendicular and at a ninety (90)
degree angle to the beach, into the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, a distance of two
hundred fifty (250) feet to a point (the first line); thence, in a southerly direction
parallel to the beach along the waters of the Gulf of Mexico to a point perpendicular and
at a ninety (90) degree angle to the first line (the second line); thence, in a westerly
direction perpendicular and at a ninety (90) degree angle to the beach and to the second
line, a distance of two hundred fifty (250) feet to the line of high tide on the beach
nearest the centerline of Access Road 1 (the third line).
(Ord. No. 95-9, § 1, 6-15-95)
If these are indeed current, does this mean we basically can launch south of Aces
Road 1 in the camping area? Also, if there is any other law concerning
launching/operating vessels, Please let me know where they are publicized so we can be in
compliance.
Thank you for your assistance
Timothy Davis
